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D. D. GORDON.

MECHANICAL MOVEMENT. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 12,.191su RENEWED AUG. 31,191B.

Patented May 6, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET1 m m m m n. n; GORDON. MECHANICAL MOVEMENT.

APPLICATION FILED F EB. I2,, LQIB; RENEWED AUG. 31, I9I8.

I 'v I A d II/IH I Patentefi May 6, 1919;

2 $HEETS-SHEET Z- being had to the "UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID D. GORDON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO CENTRAL WEST ELECTRICCO.,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

MECHANICAL MOVEMENT.

Application filed February 12, 1916, Serial no. 78,01

ments, of which the following is a full, clear,

concise, and exact description, reference accompanying drawings, forminga part of this specification.

My invention relates to mechanical movements and has for its object theprovision of a mechanism for performing a certain function which forinstance is of particular utility in connection with switching devices.

In the application herein I will describe the movement more particularlyas applied to switching devices and other applications of the deviceWlll suggest themselves. More specifically I have selected forillustrating my invention switching devices of the types generally knownas pendant switches and wall switches. Adapting my invention for use asa pendant switch I utilize a movable contact element and control thiscontact element by means of a spring, which spring at its free extremityis controlled in a manner to shift the switch element from either of itsalternative positions to the other. The spring may be of the coiledvariety, the parts with which it cooperates being such that the oppositeor free ends of the spring both have a shifting movement.

I will describe a form which my invention may take more particularly byreferring to the accompanying drawings illustrating the same as appliedto a pendant switch and a wall switch in whichtaken at right angles toFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line a-a, of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a detail of construction;

Fig. 5 is a top view of a modified form;

Fig. 6 is a partial sectional view illustrating the form shown in Fig.5;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view of the moving parts;

Fig. 8 is a. similar view showing the parts about to change theirposition by snap action, and

Fig. 9 is an end view of the switch move- Specifieation of LettersPatent.

Patented May 6, 1919.

8. Renewed August 31, 1918. Serial No. 252,259.

ment removed from its containing insulating casing.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, I show a pendant switchconsisting of the bell-shaped portion 1 and the lower cup shapedportion2 which are adapted to be screw threadedly united as shown at 3. In thelower portion of the element 2 a plunger 4 is adapted to bereciprocatedby hand, thus .to make or break a certain circuit all aswill presently be described. The means which I employ to change thecircuit conditions consist of the two switch contacts 5 and 6 which arepermanently mounted within the bell shaped portion 1 into which thecircuit wires 7 and 8 are respectively connected. The plunger 4: isadapted through the agency of suitable mechanism presently to bedescribed to move a movable switch element 9 into or outof engagementwith the contact springs 5 and 6. When the device is in the position ofFig. 1 the circuit through the springs 5 and 6 is of course open, butwhen the element 9 occupies its alternative position, the same isbetween the springs 5 and 6 so that the circuit is established directlybetween these elements 5 and 6. The movable switch element 9 is pivotedupon a shaft 10 suitably mounted within brackets 11, 11 secured to the.base portion 2. The shaft 10 likewise carries a tiltable framework 12which is directly operable by the plunger 4. The tilta ble framework 12has a downwardly extending forked extremity 13 which cooperates with arestricted portion 14 of the plunger so that the plunger 4 in itsmovement carries with it the forked extension 13, thus to tilt theframework 12. The framework 12 carries a ball 15 which is movable fromone end of this bracket to the other, being confined by the arms 16, 16.

It may also be well: here to state that limit stops 17, 17 are providedto confine the movement of the framework 12. The ball 15 is of coursesuitably confined upon the framework so there is no danger of itsleaving the same. The movable switch element 9 has downwardly extendingaprons 18, 18 and also an abutment 19 which is inclosed by the aprons 18and the downwardly extending arms of this element 9. A spring 20 isinter-posed between the ball and the spring element 12, the free.extremity of this spring 20 being mounted in place above the abutment19. The convolutions of this spring should of course have a considerablediameter so that this'sprin will not be flexed transversely as it isbeing used. The spring of course should be capable of compression andexpansion but must be prevented from any substantial transverse fiexme.A limiting stop 21 is provided to confine the movement of the element 9at its left extremity of movement and a stop 22 is providedto define theright hand limit of movement of said element 9.

Now assuming that the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1 and itis desired to move the element 9 into engagement with the springs and 6,then the plunger 4 must be moved (Fig. 1) to the right, whereupon theframework 12 is tilted contra-clockwise until the ball 15 and spring areslightly beyond the center line of the element 9. At this time, thespring having been compressed during this movement, the spring ispermitted to expand by reason of havin passed the dead center and itstendency Wlll be to I rotate the element 9 clockwise and the element 12contra-clockwise which it does, thus causing the element 9 to engage thesprings 5 and 6 and helping to force the plunger 4 into its right handlimiting position. A snap action movement is of course occasioned by themovement just described. The reverse movement or circuit openingmovement will of course be readily intelligible from what has beendescribed.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 5 to 9 I show a modified form ofthe switch structure. In this device I provide the metallic outlet box23 into which the switch structure carried within the insulating casing24 is to be placed. A bridge or strap 25 carries the switch structureand is fastened to the casing 24 by the screws 26. This bridge is thenutilized by means of its extremities 27 to secure the entire structurewithin the outlet box 23 by means of the screws 28. The extremities ofthe bridge 25 are provided with bayonet slots 29 as shown more clearlyin 5 so that it is not necessary to remove the screws 28 in order toinsert the switch structure in place. A very simple method is thusprovided for inserting this switch movement, into its position in theoutlet box. A cover-plate 30 is indicated in dotted lines to completethe entire structure.

The switch movement itself which is mounted within the casing" 24 isdesigned to move by snap action a switch element 31 through the agencyof the push buttons 32 and 33. This switch structure includes two arms34, 34 riveted to the bridge piece 25, which arms support a rotatablespindle or shaft 35. The arms 34 also pivotally support by means oftheir hook extremities 36 a C-shaped oscillating element 37 to which isinsulatingly fastened by means of the bracket 38 the double switchspring 39 so that this switch spring moves with the oscillating element37. Suitable instrumentalities are interposed to effect a snap actionmovement of this element 37 and consequently the springs 39 first in onedirection and then in the other in order that contact may be establishedbetween the terminals 40 and 41 or the contact therethrough broken, bothby snap action. The buttons 32 and 33 are pivotally supported by anoscillating bridge piece 42 which is pivoted on the shaft 35, and whichhas arms 43 extending parallel to the arms 34. The buttons 32 and 33which carry attaching elements 44 each have fingers 45 to limit theirmovement by their engagement with the bridge piece 25. The oscillatingbridge piece 42 has projections 46 by means of which it is pivotallyengaged between arms of the engaging elements 44. A shifting C-shapedelement 47 is slidably mounted within the element 37 through the agencyof a spindle or shaft 48 carried by the element 47 which slides ingrooves 49 provided in the C-shaped element 37. A spring 50 is mountedbetween the spindles 35 and 48 and tends to draw them closer together.The element 37 has fingers 51 which at times are engaged by the arms 43,this engagement being just prior to the snap action movement of theelement 37 from one alternative position to the other. The element 47 ispivoted to the element 43 as shown at 52, through the agency of fingersbent from the element 47 and engaging apertures in the arms 43.

It will be seen for instance by referring to Fig. 7 that as the button33 is pushed in.- wardly to move the element 37 from one limitingposition to the other that the. swinging part or bridge piece 42 isrotated in a clockwise direction, thereby rotating its arms 43 about theshaft 35. ment of the arms 43 swings the element 47 in acontra-clockwise direction on account of the pivotal engagement at 52,and this element 47 in being swung about its pivot 48 must also shiftits by having the shaft 48 slide in the groove 49. This movement ofcourse stretches the spring 50 and this stretching movement continuesuntil the pivotal point 52 has passed beyond the center line of theshafts 35 and 48, at which time the spring 50 is permitted to contract,thereby drawing the element 47 with its shaft 48 toward the right alongthe slot 49 until the shaft 48 reaches the right hand extremity of thisslot (Fig. 8). At the same time the rounded left hand extremity of thearm 43 hasengaged the upper finger 51 of the element 37, thus pushingthis element 37 in a contra-clockwise direction to move the shaft 48slightly beyond the line joining the shaft 35 and the pivotal point ofthis element 37. The spring 50 is thereupon in a position to stillfurther contract and position longitudinally This clockwise moverapidlypull this element 37 in a contraclockwise direction by snap action intoits alternative position. I

From what has been set forth the nature of my said invention will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art, and also that it iscapable of a great variety of uses and modifications without departingfrom its spirit.

Having, however, thus described two forms which my invention may take,what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: i

1. Apparatus of the character described having a momble element adaptedto move from one alternative position to the other, a second movableelement adapted to move from one alternative position to the other, acoiled spring having its free ends associated respectively with the saidmovable elements, and means for moving one of said elements to therebyshift one free extremity ofsaid spring, thereby to pass the dead centerso that the other free extremity of said spring shifts theother movableelement.

2. Apparatus of the character described having a movable element adaptedto move from one alternative position to the other, a second movableelement adapted to move from one alternative position to the other, acoiled spring having its free ends associated respectively with the saidmovable elements, means for moving one of said elements to thereby shiftone free extremity of said spring, thereby to pass. the dead center sothat the other free extremity of said spring shifts the other movableelement, and a ball interposed between one free extremity of said springand one of said movable elements 3. Apparatus of the character describedhaving a movable element adapted to move from one alternative positionto the other, a second movable element adapted to move fromone-alternative position to the other, a coiled spring having its freeends associated respectively with the said movable elements, means formoving one of said elements to thereby shift one free extremity of saidspring, thereby to pass the dead center so that the other free extremityof said spring shifts the other movable element, and means interposedbetween one free extremity of said spring ment whereby the freeextremity of said spring is shifted along said movable elements.

4. Apparatus of the character described having a pivoted element adaptedto move from one alternative position to the other, a second pivotedelement adapted to move from one alternative position to the other, a

coiled spring having its free ends associated respectively with andmeans for moving one of sald elements and its cooperating movable ele-'th said pivoted elements,

to thereby shift one free extremity of said spring, thereby to pass-thedead center so that the other free extremity of said spring shifts theother pivoted element.

5 Apparatus of the character described having a pivoted element adaptedto move from one alternative position to the other, a second pivotedelement adapted to move from one alternative position to the other, acoiled spring having its free ends associ' ated respectively with saidpivoted elements, means for moving one of said elements to thereby shiftone free extremity of said spring, thereby to pass the dead center sothat the other free extremity of said spring shifts theother pivotedelement, and means interposed between one free extremity of said springand its cotiperating pivoted ele mentwhereby the free extremity of saidspring is shifted along said pivoted elements.

6. Apparatus of the character described having a pivoted element adaptedto move from one alternative position to the other,. a second pivotedelement adapted to move from one alternative position to the other, acoiled spring having its free ends associated respectively with the saidpivoted elements, and means for moving one of said elements to therebyshift one free extremity of said spring, thereby to pass the dead center so that the other free extremity of said spring shifts the otherpivoted element, said elements being pivoted upon the same axis.

7. Apparatus of the character described having a pivoted element adaptedto move from one alternative position to the other, a second pivotedelement adapted to move from one alternative position to the other, acoiled spring having its free ends associated respectively with saidpivoted elements, means for moving one of said elements to thereby shiftone free extremity of said spring, thereby to pass the dead center sothat the other free extremity of said spring shifts the other pivotedelement, and means interposed between one free extremity of said springand its cooperating pivoted element whereby the free extremity of saidspring is shifted along said pivoted elements, said elements beingpivoted upon the same axis.

8. The combination with a tiltable framework, of a slide operable alongsaid framework, a pivot-ed element provided'upon the same axis as saidframework, and a spring interposed between said slide and said secondpivoted element.

' 9. A device of the character described comprising a pivoted controlmember, a pivoted switch operating member, and means interposed betweensaid control member and control member and said switch operating memberbeing both pivoted on the same axis.

10. A device of the character described comprising a pivoted controlmember, a pivoted switch operating member,and means interposed betweensaid control member and said switch operating member for controlling thesnap action movement of said switch operating member in both directionsWhen said control member is moved, said means including a spring and ashifting element pivotally and shiftably associated with one of saidmembers.

11. A device of the character described comprising a pivoted controlmember, a pivoted switch operating member, and means interposed betweensaid control member and said switch operating member for controlling thesnap action movement of said switch operating member in both directionswhen said control member is moved, said means having its control memberextremity shiftable along said control member.

In Witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 10th day ofFebruary, A. D. 1916.

DAVID D. GORDON. Witnesses:

HAZEL A. Jones, MAX W. ZABEL.

